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1947 Map of First Fork

Name: 1947 Topographic Map of First Fork
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1947
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1947

About this map

First Fork Sinnemahoning Creek carves a deep valley through the high plateau of the north-central Pennsylvania wilds, serving as the primary corridor for movement and settlement just after World War II. The small community of First Fork and the nearby Lushbaugh cluster along the narrow floodplain of the creek, illustrating the valley's role in anchoring local life. This area, spanning the border of Potter Co and Cameron Co, is defined by a dense network of steep hollows and tributary runs such as Square Timber Run and Rattlesnake Run, which drain the surrounding timberlands.

Local history is preserved in small landmarks found on the valley floor, including the First Fork Sch and rural burial sites like the Gilmore Cem and Smith Cem. The placement of these features reflects a traditional rural economy tied to the creek, where flat land for schools and cemeteries was found only at the base of the surrounding ridges. These features, along with names like Stillhouse Run and Bear Trap Hollow, point to a legacy of early mountain industry and subsistence.